Expanded Wi-Fi Easing Wireless Jams Advances at U.S. FCC

The Federal Communications
Commission voted today to write rules opening more U.S. airwaves
to Wi-Fi devices and easing wireless congestion in airports and
conference halls.

The FCC voted 5-0 for the plan over objections from
automakers and their suppliers who say the new Wi-Fi frequencies
could jam car-to-car wireless communications systems being
developed to prevent accidents.

The plan for Wi-Fi, an aerial Internet connection found in
coffee shops and offices, is part of President Barack Obama’s
strategy to expand airwaves sharing to cope with a shortage of
frequencies that threatens to slow wireless Internet traffic.

“Wi-Fi congestion is a very real and growing problem,”
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said at the agency’s monthly
meeting in Washington. “We’re at the early stage of this but it
will only get worse” as Wi-Fi use grows.

The agency will take comments on the plan before voting on
final passage.

Wade Newton, a spokesman for the Washington-based Alliance
of Automobile Manufacturers, said the auto industry will review
the FCC plan and work with regulators on concerns about
interference with safety systems.

“Automakers have already invested heavily in the research
and development of these safety critical systems, and our
successes have been based on working closely with our federal
partners,” said Newton, whose group’s members include General
Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. “It is imperative that, as we
move forward, we do adequate research and testing on potential
interference issues that could arise from opening up this band
to unlicensed users.”

No Delay

The FCC will consult with federal and non-U.S. users of
nearby airwaves to “enable non-interfering, shared use,”
Genachowski said. “Consultation can’t be an excuse for inaction
or delay.”

The agency, on another unanimous vote today, set rules to
clear the way for wider use of boosters that can help consumers
receive weak wireless signals. The rules also aim to prevent
marketing of devices that can cause interference to mobile
networks.

“Consumers who buy devices meeting our standards will be
able to enjoy better wireless access without disrupting the
service of their neighbors or the communications needs of first
responders,” Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said
in an e-mailed statement. “Wireless carriers will also benefit
as boosters extend the reach of their networks and reduce the
number of dropped calls due to weak signals.”